u.s. congressman Mac Thornberry.com serving the people of the 13th district of texas

About every five years, Congress debates legislation governing our nation’s federal farm and food policy, known as the Farm Bill. The commodity programs in the 2008 Farm Bill represent less than one-quarter of one percent of the federal budget. The 2008 Farm Bill already made a number of significant changes to the 2002 Farm Bill that, as a result, are providing predictable commodity support while costing taxpayers less than originally anticipated.

In early 2013, the 2008 Farm Bill was extended for an additional year. 

The Senate passed its version of the five-year 2012 Farm Bill on June 21, 2012. The House Agriculture Committee reported the House version of the Farm Bill out of the Committee on July 11, 2012. Unfortunately, disagreement over the nutrition provisions, which make up around 70 percent of Farm Bill spending, has hampered the ability to pass a Farm Bill.

The House version of the five-year 2012 Farm Bill would save more than $35 billion over the next ten years. The House draft also repeals Direct Payments, Countercyclical Payments, ACRE, and SURE.

I believe we should pass a 5-year Farm bill as soon as possible, and I will continue to push for it and work towards the viability of agriculture in our area.

For more information on the 2012 Farm Bill, please click here.

Keeping open markets for agricultural trade

According to estimates by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United States provides the third-lowest amount of government policy-generated support to its agricultural sector among OECD countries.

The American people can and do reap tremendous benefits from trade, especially our agriculture industry. Texas alone is the fourth-largest exporter of agricultural commodities in the United States. Maintaining free and open markets is essential to allowing our producers to sell products across the globe. 

However, I believe that we should also work towards leveling the playing field for our producers. The most important aspect of U.S. trade agreements is that we are placed on equal footing with other countries. We need to be active participants in the global economy, and I will continue to work to give our producers at home the best opportunity to compete.